Lawmakers returned to Springfield September 22 in the wake of public and media pressure to act on Governor Rod Blagojevich’s veto of long-awaited “pay-to-play” reforms, and to consider legislation that would restore $230 million of the $1.4 billion that the Governor cut from the budget in August, according to Senator Tim Bivins.

The Illinois Senate voted unanimously September 22 to concur with the Houseof Representative’s override of the Governor's controversial changes made to long-awaited ethics legislation. House Bill 824, which will go into effect on January 1, 2009, bans campaign contributions from contractors who do more than $50,000 in state business to declared candidates for the office that would award a contract to the donor.

News Detail

Senate Week in Review: September 22-26, 2008

10/8/2008

The measure also requires businesses with state contracts to register with the State Board of Elections, which will create a searchable database linking the businesses’ names to disclosures of all their contributions to political committees. Any incomplete or falsified filings would be a criminal offense, punishable by a fine.

Though the passage of House Bill 824 was met with relief and widespread support, another ethics proposal – Senate Bill 780 – was the source of concern and criticism. Although Senate lawmakers approved the new ethics proposal introduced by the Governor, reform advocates and most legislators said that while they agree with the intent of the Governor’s proposal, they believe the measure is flawed and needs more work before it should become law. It is widely expected that the legislation will not advance in the House.

The measure would prohibit lawmakers from holding a second job in local government and would make the process by which lawmakers approve their own pay raises more difficult. It also expands the contractor contribution ban to all statewide officials, legislators and political parties, regardless of who is awarding the contract. Finally, Senate Bill 780 requires lawmakers and candidates to disclose the names of lobbyists who give them more than $5,000 in compensation.

On September 23, lawmakers approved legislation that would allow revenue from special purpose funds to be used to finance the continued upkeep and operations of social service programs and state parks and historic sites.

Senator Bivins said it is important to remember that the Gvernor must still approve this funding. Though he has frequently used money from Illinois’ dedicated funds to pay for state spending, Governor Blagojevich has not publicly supported the use of these fund dollars to finance the programs. If the revenue is not approved, the health care providers, state parks and historic sites that were impacted by the cuts, are expected to close or substantially reduce or eliminate services.

Also during the week, the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) made public a long-awaited, independent study on the state’s correctional centers. Senator said that the study confirms that Illinois’ prisons are overcrowded and that there is a growing need for additional prison space.

The study, conducted by Peoria-based PSA Dewberry, confirmed that by 2016 the Illinois Department of Corrections will need another 2,735 beds to accommodate the projected growth in the inmate population. Currently, Illinois’ prison system far exceeds capacity.

Senate Republican lawmakers have been pushing for a system to review Illinois prisons, arguing that a long-range plan should be in place to further analyze the existing system. Until such a system can be implemented, Senator Bivins says there should be a moratorium on prison closures in Illinois.

Vetoes overridden this week include:

Community Colleges (HB 4189) – Classifies community college districts as units of local government must adopt resolutions regulating the political activities and the solicitation and acceptance of gifts by their officials and employees.

Graveyard Trustee Compensation (HB 5022) – Provides that the compensation of a public graveyard trustee may not exceed $1,000 per year.

Scrap Processors (HB 4668) – Requires metal scrap processors to make and record a copy of a driver’s license or ID card of anyone selling recyclable metals worth at least $100, and prohibits a transaction if the person cannot provide the necessary identification.

Wrongful Imprisonment (HB 230) – Increases maximum statutory awards for any personconvicted and imprisoned by the State for one or more felonies which he/she did not commit, allows these individuals to file an action for a certificate of innocence and stipulates they can qualify for job training and continuing education at the Dept. of Employment Securities.

Amendatory vetoes overridden this week include:

Ballot Questions (SB 2190) – Requires that persons and groups who raise or spend $3,000 advocating or opposing a question on the ballot must register with the State Board of Elections. Registration requirements are already in effect for other political committees.

Shingles Vaccine (HB 4602) – Requires insurance to cover the cost of a shingles vaccine that is ordered by a physician for enrollees older than 60.

Amendatory vetoes accepted this week include:

AEDs (HB 1279) – Requires public and private outdoor facilities focusing on cardiovascular exertion to have an AED and a trained user on the premises during all physical fitness activities.

All Kids (HB 1533) – Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to publish All Kids cost sharing requirements in newspapers. Further requires the Department to submit copies of all contracts awarded for the administration of the All Kids program to the General Assembly. The bill also requires an annual audit of the All Kids program by the Auditor General.